Genshin Impact: Towards Godhood

The attack was clearly not a spur-of-the-moment decision.

The tribe's ordeal tonight was the result of many preparations by Ramar, though it wasn't solely his "effort."

For instance, as the tribe grew stronger, the issue of power distribution and struggle had already been brought to the forefront, even before achieving final victory.

This was an internal conflict.

The allure of the Fatui due to the legacy left by the Red King was another factor.

In short, many factors led to the trouble, but the outcome was already determined.

When the massive Ruin Guard stood on the battlefield, the mercenaries of [Deshret's Relics] lost their will to fight.

They were far from showing signs of the downfall they would face years later, still filled with a spirit of resistance and bravery.

But some things can't be resisted with spirit alone.

In this defeat, Asfard, who entered the scene right after, brought the attitude and sincerity of the [Corps of Thirty].

They had observed for a long time and, upon confirming Ramar's signs of real success after the war, started preparing to invest.

"Principally, we support your ascent."

"But you need to give us some benefits when you get there, right? If you give us benefits, we can support you."

The deal discussed was essentially this.

"We can support you, but you must give us better terms, at least better than what the Akademiya offers."

Ramar agreed wholeheartedly, and thus, a pleasant cooperation was reached regarding the deal itself.

This wasn't complicated; it was simply a matter of stakeholders choosing new allies during a power transition.

The [Corps of Thirty] represented a group of interests.

They stood for those who had enjoyed the Akademiya's support but were now pessimistic about its future.

Since they had no faith in the Akademiya, they had to plan early for their future.

Ramar didn't have many emotions about this; instead, Nahida delved deeper into understanding the governance of Sumeru.

Ramar was curious about what the gods researched out of boredom, but asking such questions seemed impertinent and unnecessary.

After dealing with some trivial matters, it was time to address internal cleansing and reforms.

The Fatui retreated.

After Childe's failure, they abandoned their original plan and chose to leave honestly.

Ramar did not stop them, and as a return gesture, they handed over some evidence.

Though this evidence wasn't of absolute value, it saved some trouble.

With the evidence and the recent victory, Ramar could proceed with the purge smoothly.

"Paying for their failure is an unwritten rule."

Ramar handed the evidence from the Fatui to Babel.

Babel had great potential in handling traitors.

After all, in the storyline, she indeed turned the tribe's elders into traitors and eliminated them precisely.

"Just some trivial things."

Babel didn't even bother to look.

From a higher position to a lower one, the question is not whether something can be done but whether it is worth doing.

"A good attitude is the start of cooperation. We still have much room for cooperation with the Fatui; don't neglect our guests."

Ramar instructed.

Although Childe came with a murderous intent, the Fatui still had their uses.

Since they were useful, a better attitude was warranted.

A poor attitude could be a bargaining chip to lower prices but shouldn't be a common tactic.

"I understand," Babel nodded lightly.

Ramar trusted Babel's skills.

Governance usually involves two aspects: managing people and managing affairs.

Babel might not be adept at handling specific administrative tasks and solving particular issues, but she was excellent at dealing with people.

Doing one of the two aspects well already made her a useful talent.

Ramar didn't have high expectations.

Official duties would be handed over to Nahida in the future. She enjoyed doing them and could do them well, so it was best to leave it to her.

After a brief discussion, Ramar and Babel decided the fates of those involved.

Nothing unexpected occurred.

During this period, the desert regime was still in a stage of transformation. Its power was not stable, and alliances for mutual interests were just beginning and far from stable.

When some nobles died, their companions might feel sad, but most people would rejoice.

Positions were limited; someone had to step down for others to rise.

Moreover, with Ramar riding the wave of victory, the purge, which had little impact, ended swiftly.

For the desert, this was a perfect start to the final step.

They had eliminated all enemies in the desert, and now everyone was united under one banner.

The [Corps of Thirty] had indeed failed.

In most people's eyes, it was unimaginable for the [Corps of Thirty], representing Sumeru's official power, to lose against the desert regime without a god.

Their single failure would inspire new thoughts in those who had no intentions before.

These new thoughts would affect their choices of interest, causing more trouble for the Akademiya.

That was why the first battle was so crucial.

If you win, everyone with ulterior motives remains silent, continuing to wait for changes over time.

But if you show any signs of weakness in this war, ambitious people will rise, making early plans for the future.

The Seven Nations of Teyvat have never experienced an era of civil war, as such an era wouldn't involve them; they are always the ones who accept the results... As for why it turns out this way, it's irrelevant to them.

Your efforts do not affect the grand scheme or the outcome; this is something everyone must acknowledge before divine rule.

Besides speculators like the [Corps of Thirty], there were others accustomed to the Akademiya's rule.

Their interests were entirely tied to the Akademiya's governance system. Anyone might betray the Akademiya, except them.

But now, even they had to reconsider.

"Because the Akademiya lost!"

Shahzaman declared passionately.

This was a simple gathering.

Of course, in the current environment, any small gathering might provoke the sensitive and fragile nerves of the Akademiya.

So Shahzaman openly gathered his friends instead of doing it secretly.

"For nearly a thousand years, the rainforest has always been above the desert."

"I know you all believe this rule is just, that those desert savages should be ruled by us."

"I think so too."

He set the tone for his words.

Before saying anything else, Shahzaman had to emphasize his stance—he stood with the rainforest.

Because Dehya and Dunyazard had a good relationship.

This relationship brought something special, like Ramar's early goodwill and the god's personal appearance. Shahzaman never thought he'd have the honor to meet a god before Nahida personally appeared.

But it also brought trouble.

He was under the Akademiya's watch, his every move precisely monitored.

This was the real test Ramar threw at him.

Ramar was fully aware that after the end of Mishal's incident, Dehya would be investigated, and it was natural for Dunyazard to get involved.

This was a problem stemming from a chain of relationships.

What could Dunyazard and Shahzaman do about it?

He was merely saved by someone and chose to repay the favor, and now it brought him trouble.

No one could foresee or withstand such a coincidence.

Shahzaman cursed his past self for venturing into the desert.

But after cursing, he still had to face reality.

Reality was that because of that lifesaving favor, he accepted Kusayla's request to take care of Dehya.

And Dehya was friends with his daughter Dunyazard.

Not long ago, Dehya got involved in trouble, and the desert regime's ruler threw out an answer incomprehensible to everyone.

Because of Candace and Dehya's relationship, what you did made her unhappy, so I will destroy you.

So, Shahzaman cursed his adventurous self from years ago but had to accept reality.

Although he knew that people's lives were interconnected and no one was an island, the coincidence was too much for him to understand.

But there was no choice; he had to accept what he couldn't understand.

Because he was alive and didn't plan to die in this unprovoked disaster.

Shahzaman looked at his old and new friends, feeling resolute.

The current situation was like dancing on a knife's edge. Everyone thought his connection with the desert was close, but he knew it was just a "simple favor."

But it didn't matter.

"It's useless for you to say you don't have this intention. If the Akademiya thinks you have this intention, then it's best for you to have this intention."

Shahzaman quickly realized this and chose without hesitation to seek the aid of Lesser Lord Kusanali who had appeared.

He needed to take responsibility for his family; he wanted to survive rather than suddenly lose everything in this inexplicable disaster.

It's less about what Dehya wanted to do and more about how Rama, due to his connection with Dunyarzad and Nahida, decided to give Shahzaman a chance.

Shahzaman spoke righteously, stating the convention that rainforest people are superior to desert people as if it were a matter of course.

"This is simply the natural order. We rainforest people are indeed nobler than the desert people."

"But now these wretches are starting to rebel. Despite us giving them the chance to survive, work, and receive an education, they do not appreciate our kindness and instead want to take more." Shahzaman's expression was one of disgust. "These greedy desert people are truly detestable! They are never satisfied, those wretched ingrates!"

Voices of agreement began to rise.

This was the tone of the assembly.

We are all rainforest people; we are superior to desert people, and this is natural.

Their rebellion is incomprehensible to us because we have already allowed them to live. Why are they still not satisfied and wanting more?

This mentality is too evil, too greedy, and undeserving of understanding.

You might have more thoughts, perhaps fair or biased, but in this setting, you must be an absolute supporter of rainforest supremacy.

Shahzaman, adopting this tone, became a complete rainforest person.

He had his thoughts and plans, but first, he needed to stay alive.

"The Corps of Thirty are probably not trustworthy; after all, they come from the desert," Shahzaman proposed a mainstream view. "Between us and the desert, they naturally lean toward the desert."

"Exactly," someone echoed. "The Akademiya's well-thought-out plan failed because they chose to betray."

"These desert barbarians lack intelligence and live entirely by looting and killing. They never had any credibility, so it's only natural they would betray at such a time."

This had to do with the Corps of Thirty's role.

Regardless of the Corps of Thirty's previous intentions, their main task was to maintain official interests.

In the process of maintaining official interests, their own interests inevitably suffered.

After all, the rules set by the Akademiya benefit many, but the greatest beneficiaries are always the Akademiya.

If the Akademiya's rules are broken, many people might suffer, but the rule breakers usually benefit.

The Corps of Thirty's main job is to prevent the latter and maintain the former.

Old grievances combined with origin issues made it absolutely correct to curse the Corps of Thirty.

People coming and going might have thought of using Shahzaman to get close to Rama, but seeing his words, even if his true stance was unknown, it was clear he wouldn't express it at this time.

The dialogue reached some consensus.

All the bad situations were due to the desert people's ungratefulness and lack of enlightenment, their vile values, and actions.

The situation of the Akademiya was indeed dire.

The first consensus was unimportant, but the second was somewhat significant.

"This matter is not so simple," someone pointed out the crucial issue. "I heard you once received help from Kusayla and looked after his daughter Dehya."

"Moreover, your daughter Dunyarzad is friends with Dehya..."

If it weren't for Rama, they probably wouldn't even know the names Kusayla and Dehya.

Shahzaman had anticipated this.

The necessary questions would arise sooner or later, and the reason these people were willing to accept his invitation was precisely due to this connection.

They, and even the Akademiya, wanted to see what Shahzaman planned to do.

(End of Chapter)